Dear BPCWA worshipper, We thank God that after some months of inconvenience of having to park in the surrounding areas, the new carpark was completed. While we’ve somewhat settled into the new norm during this period (while anticipating the next wave of changes), there are also several things we need to be aware of, get used to, and will continue to need to adjust to, until the renovation is completed. This pastoral seeks to give you some important points to note, so do read on.

When there is an emergency evacuation . . . With the completion of the church carpark and the closure of our main entrance, we held our first emergency evacuation drill to familiarise everyone with the new exit points and route. This time, everyone exited through the fellowship hall and side emergency exit, down the new ramp at the back, and assembled in the emergency assembly point in the new carpark. There are some observations from the first drill that I would like to bring to everyone’s attention, should there be another drill or a genuine need for an emergency evacuation. 1) Do not block the exit rows. You will also notice that the distance between the rows of chairs next to the fire exit in the main sanctuary has been increased. This is to facilitate better flow for faster exit. Hence, those seated in the exit row should not place their belongings on the floor in front of them in any way that would cause trips or obstruct those exiting down this wider aisle from reaching the fire exit door. 2) Do not stop to let others go before you. Everyone should continue moving through the exit. While in normal situations it may be courteous to stop and wave others to move before you, you need to remember that this is an evacuation. You are blocking those behind you from exiting if you do so in an emergency. So, those without physical limitations are to keep moving and not stop to allow others to go ahead or exit first. 3) Evacuate with due haste. The speed of evacuation will be limited by those walking down the ramp, since only 2 persons can walk side by side along the ramp. Hence, please do not hold others back by strolling, chatting, or slowing your pace to “accompany” someone while you move down the ramp. We do not want a stampede or mass panic, but whether during a drill or a real emergency, it is important to ensure that everyone exits swiftly. 4) Young children should be accompanied by their parents. It was noted that some young children were exiting on their own without their parents. Parents should closely supervise their young children or place them under the care of another adult so that there won’t be panic if parents cannot find their children. 5) Even if you’ve reached the muster point in the carpark, keep moving to make way for others. Once you have cleared the ramp and have reached the car park area, continue to move along briskly toward the middle of the carpark between Jeremiah House and the bottom of the ramp. Remember that others are still making their way out of the building, so this will allow enough space for everyone to move away from the church building to safety in the carpark. Do not hold up those behind by slowing down to chat or keep company with someone next to you, as a result, slowing traffic behind you. Please do watch out for vehicles if there are cars driving out of the carpark. Remember, as is the process elsewhere, the able-bodied will leave before those with physical limitations. If you have an injury or are unable to move at a normal pace, you should wait and evacuate after everyone has cleared the building. An orderly evacuation will help everyone.  

In case you haven’t noticed . . . Even as works at the front and side of the building are in progress, preparations were underway for the next phase of works, which will involve the front and Canning Highway corner of the building. Once a familiar gathering spot for our children after the Worship Service and fellowship meetings, our library has been emptied and is now bare. The computers in the church office have been shifted out to the upper fellowship hall. For those who have not visited the upstairs sanctuary recently, the familiar deep red curtains at the front, which we were used to seeing in our YouTube videos, have been removed, as well as the pulpit. The mini organ, which was not working, has also been disposed of, and the piano has been shifted forward so it can continue to be used for the Y180 meetings held in that room. Although it is not yet there as I write this pastoral, you will also have seen that portable toilets have been placed adjacent to the carpark down the side of the sanctuary by the time you read this. These portable toilets are to prepare for the eventual closure of the toilets at the back of our church building, which will be incorporated into the main building as part of the extension. Alongside this, the shed next to the toilets has also been dismantled. 

Even as I reflect on these changes, there is a mix of emotions. There is a tinge of sadness in seeing the front lawn where our children used to play give way to the driveway. But this is necessary for easier pick up and drop off in front of the church. Thankfully, with the new rack for the children’s library books, I see children reading them again – and I hope it is a habit that they continue during the renovation period. Just as others lived with the inconveniences years ago, and we have the 2^nd storey today, this is what we must do for the next generation. Prayerfully, the renovation will see these young ones grow up in the church and continue the work of the church for many years to come. All these inconveniences are also a fitting and sober reminder of what the church renovation is meant for, especially on this, our 40^th Anniversary commemoration. The church is not for any man. We will all come and go. But what we leave behind must endure and have a sound and godly foundation for those who will walk after us in these halls. All these building works must ultimately remind us that every one of us is part of a far greater and more important building – that of the church of God. May this building in BPCWA always point every child of God to that.

“For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. 5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” (Heb 3:4-6)

Yours in our Lord’s service,
Pastor